After a two-day hiatus, the ITV Racing cameras return on Friday! There are seven races being broadcast on the main channel, including the Grade 3 New Year’s Day Chase, which sees the return of dual Gold Cup winner Al Boum Photo!
We’ll have horse racing tips for all the action, but I’ve taken a deep dive into the trainer statistics. From in-form stables, to those with brilliant course records, you can find all the details of the treble below!
It’s been an incredible season for Paul Nicholls, who has enjoyed winners left, right and centre. The Master of Ditcheat has sent 35 runners to Musselburgh this season, with 16 returning home as winners. That equates to a brilliant 46% strike-rate and Accomplice has above-average claims in the opening ITV contest.
We’ve seen this French recruit just three times in Britain, below form in two opening starts. He took a big step in the right direction when second at Wincanton last time over two miles, beaten just two lengths after making plenty of late ground. A return to the 2m 4f distance will suit and this lightly-raced six-year-old should be in the thick of the action.
Sending 73 runners to Exeter in the last five years, Harry Fry can boast of a 30% strike-rate at the venue. Those 22 winners have equated to a level stakes profit of £27.01 and our Friday NAP, Ask Me Early, is very difficult to oppose for Fry in the 2.50.
A Point winner at Kinsale back in June 2019, he was seen just twice over hurdles before being switched to fences. He made a winning start over the larger obstacles at Chepstow last month, making all in very comfortable fashion. Sean Bowen didn’t have to get serious and a six-pound rise is far is very lenient.
Completely unexposed, there should be far more improvement under the hood and he’s going to be extremely tough to beat.
A dual Grade 1 winner at Kempton over Christmas, Dan Skelton is having a brilliant time of things of late. He’s enjoyed 8 winners from his last 31 runners and Romain De Senam makes plenty of appeal in the feature contest at Musselburgh on Friday.
He was previously trained by Paul Nicholls, winning off a mark of 141 at his peak for that yard. He’s had just the four starts for his new yard, finishing a good fourth at Aintree two starts ago over an inadequate distance. Brought down early in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup, that effort is very easy to forget.
Currently three pounds below his last winning rating, he has his ideal conditions and the race will be run to suit. Given the form of the yard, he’s one to take very seriously.